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G.Skill Trident Z DDR4-3400 16GB Memory Review

G.Skill Trident Z DDR4-3400 16GB Conclusion:

G.Skill's Trident Z F4-3400C16D-GTZ modules are from top to bottom a high quality set of memory. Let's start with the stock performance. In every test run, the Trident Z modules finished first in every test but three. In those three tests the performance gap was minimal at best between the top two sets of high speed DDR4 modules. When overclocked, the Trident Z modules followed the Patriot modules in only three tests. Again with margins small enough that you could call it a draw. All in all a very impressive performance from this set of memory from G.Skill.

Using the supplied XMP 2.0 profile made for a one click setup solution. Applying the XMP profile ensures that the motherboard applies the correct speed, timings, and voltages if you do not want to overclock the modules since 3400MHz is a pretty robust speed bin to begin with. If you are going to push these modules, the XMP 2.0 applied settings are a very good starting point if you pay attention to the secondary settings applied. I was able to get about another 200MHz of memory speed out of these modules by bumping the voltage up to 1.5v and manually tuning the timings for a final speed of 3622MHz. Not bad when you consider that 16-18-18-28 settings were used to get there. Thanks to G.Skill's memory IC screening process, you get a decent amount of overclocking margin built in.

Cranking up the voltage is going to add some heat to the hardware. However, G.Skill's Trident Z heat sink package is up to the task of managing that thermal load. G.Skill built a very robust brushed aluminum design that can handle the load and effectively shed the heat. By pulling or pushing some airflow over the modules, they heat up to just barely over ambient temperatures. Another positive when running high speed modules.

DIMM performance is a big factor when you purchase high speed memory, but at this time looks are important to many of the people who build their own systems. In this respect, the Trident Z modules feature an anodized brushed aluminum finish with a removable color bar that not only gives the modules that two toned bit of flash, but offers the potential for other color options if you are so inclined to make a switch. This is not something available from G.Skill at this time, but those that mod cases surely will have a solution!

If you are looking for a set of memory for your Skylake build, G.Skill's Trident Z modules come in capacities up to 64GB and speeds up to 4266MHz. You get great performance and looks, a modest price point, and a limited lifetime warranty. You really cannot go wrong with a set of Trident Z modules.